The Lincoln Cottage is a little out of the way and sparsely decorated, but it paints a more complex and complete picture of the 16th president than his more grandiose memorial on the National Mall. more ›

In case it's slipped your mind, tomorrow marks the observation of Emancipation Day in the District -- which means that most of the city's workers will be taking the day off. more ›

To those around the country who incorrectly view our fair city as simply a place where real America comes to protest, don't forget: our local government is to thank for a couple of extra days to file your income taxes this year. more ›

On Friday, the District of Columbia celebrates Emancipation Day, commemorating the date in 1862 when President Abraham Lincoln signed the Compensated Emancipation Act -- an act which freed the slaves of the District of Columbia about nine months before the Emancipation Proclamation. The city has only been officially celebrating Emancipation Day since 2005. It's also the only holiday observed by the D.C. government that is not also observed by the federal government, and every year, there's inevitable confusion about what parts of the city will be functioning like normal and which will be closed. Here's how it breaks down: more ›

As ABRA tweeted earlier today, a law that went into effect last year allows D.C. bars and restaurants to, if they so choose, stay open for an additional hour of alcoholic beverage service the night before any D.C. or federal holiday. And since Friday is Emancipation Day, and D.C. government and schools will be closed, that means Thursday night could see a number of bars taking advantage and staying open until 3 a.m., as if it were a regular weekend night. more ›

If you're looking for ways to celebrate Emancipation Day today, the D.C. government has a list of options. Many of the bigger events, like the Sweet Honey in the Rock concert last weekend, already happened, but there will be a small parade and rally this morning to honor Emancipation Day and promote statehood. The parade is hosted by the African American Holiday Association, The American Friends Service Committee, DC Black History Celebration Committee, Free the Slaves, Friends of DC Emancipation Day, and the Stand Up! for Democracy in DC Coalition. Meet at Franklin Square at 11 a.m. more ›

There was a parade this morning at Franklin Square to celebrate Emancipation Day -- not that anyone much noticed, what with Pope Benedict XVI's visit taking up all the attention. But indeed today is an important District-wide holiday, as it was on this day in 1862 that President Abraham Lincoln freed over 3,000 slaves in the District with the declaration of the Compensated Emancipation Act, which came eight months before slaves were freed throughout the nation. Here's what the act said:

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That all persons held to service or labor within the District of Columbia by reason of African descent are hereby discharged and freed of and from all claim to such service or labor; and from and after the passage of this act neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except for crime, whereof the party shall be duly convicted, shall hereafter exist in said District.

It's a good year to be a last-minute tax filer in Washington. (As if there's ever a good time to send your hard-earned dollars to the government.) First there was Emancipation Day, now the District Office of Tax and Revenue is granting an automatic two-day extension for filling your D.C. income taxes. This short reprieve is in response to yesterday's wind and rain, which knocked out power around the area. Local tax forms are now... more ›

As you've no doubt heard, we're putting on our best coats and walking shoes to fight for voting rights with a march and rally this afternoon. Several blocks will closed to traffic during the events, which kick off at 2:30 p.m. in Freedom Plaza with a march that leads to a rally at the Capitol Reflecting Pool beginning at 4:00 p.m. Between these times Pennsylvania Ave. NW from 3rd to 14th Sts. and 3rd St.... more ›

By DCist Contributor Matt Pelkey On the Fourth of July you light fireworks, on Memorial Day you grill hunks of meat, and on Labor Day you grill more hunks of meat. But how should you celebrate Emancipation Day this Monday? The voting rights march leaves little excuse for perverting another holiday into reason for a meaningless leisure activity. But if for some reason you can't be at the march, make up for it by heading... more ›

We mentioned before that some Republicans in Congress were trying to prevent the free Live Earth concert from happening on the Mall. Turns out they were successful: it's going to be at Giants Stadium in New York New Jersey instead. With a reunion of The Police. Thanks guys. We don't need a vote in Congress or a free concert. You're really looking out for us. Republicans James Inhofe and Mitch McConnell led the charge against... more ›

It was almost three weeks ago that Republicans helped derail legislation that would finally grant the District a voting seat in the House of Representatives. The Democratic leadership has promised to bring the legislation back to the floor next week, but even if it passes, it faces an uphill battle in the Senate and an almost assured veto from President Bush. Short of giving up and moving en masse to Virginia and Maryland, what can... more ›

By DCist Contributor Matt Pelkey Taxes. Yeah, we said it. Taxes, taxes, taxes, taxes. Nobody wants to think about them, nobody wants talk about them, but over the next two weeks, D.C.’s procrastinators will all be doing them. Luckily, the Office of Tax and Revenue (OTR) will once again prepare your D.C. individual income tax returns for free, and today it added three and a half hours to its work day for the next two... more ›

Though the District continued its slow crawl back to normalcy after Tuesday night's ice storm, hundreds of District residents and supporters fanned out in Congress to lobby for legislation that would grant the city a voting seat in the House of Representatives. Part of a lobby day sponsored by D.C. Vote, the almost 400 residents divided up into 50 teams and aimed to visit every member of the House, bringing with them a simple message... more ›

Car-Jacking, Robbery Wave Hit District, Maryland: WTOP and the Post , among others, report that at least nine robberies and four carjackings took place yesterday, within four to five miles of each other. The spree began at 11:30 p.m. Sunday on Fairmont Street NW near Howard University, and ended with two suspects running into the National Zoo around 1 a.m. this morning. One was caught; police are still looking for the other in the area... more ›

Good morning, Washington. To those of you who celebrate the holiday, we hope you're having a pleasant Passover, and that last night's second Seder was, uh, salubrious. Okay, we'll stop now. Students Vote For Laxer Pot Penalties: The Post reports on yesterday's U-Md. student election results, which included a large victory for a resolution in favor of making penalties for alcohol and marijuana violations equivalent. The ballot measure was intended to send a message to... more ›

It was on April 16, 1862 that President Abraham Lincoln signed the Compensated Emancipation Act, effectively freeing 3,100 slaves in the District some nine months before a similar step was taken nationwide. While the District officially recognized the day from 1866 to 1901, it wasn't until 2002 that it was once again elevated to a historic celebration and until last year that it became a citywide holiday. more ›

Ok, so everybody who has to file a tax return this year gets a little break, as April 15 falls on Saturday, placing the actual factual deadline on the following Monday, April 17. But for residents of the District (and a few northeastern states) Uncle Sam brings the extra generosity this year. As it turns out, folks that live in D.C., along with those in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, and Vermont (suck it,... more ›